Siesta Key restaurant recommendation?

[Snoopymom]

Bumping because I noticed there are a lot of SK / beach questions and I'm shameless, we're leaving in 9 days and I'm so excited and want to be able to reread this a few times before we go without searching

Also, are the restaurants that are on Ocean Blvd and Midnight pass road considered the village, easy to find, in a row, kind of area like most beach towns?

and are these directions from mapquest accurate? Do they take you straight to the beach, do you pass the village?

Thanks a bunch!!!!

Start out going NORTH on N OLD LAKE WILSON RD / CR-545 toward TEASCONE BLVD. Continue to follow CR-545 N. 1.0 miles Map

2: Turn RIGHT onto W IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL HWY / US-192 E / W VINE ST / FL-530 E / W SPACE COAST PKWY. 2.0 miles Map

3: Merge onto I-4 W toward TAMPA. 55.1 miles Map

4: Merge onto I-75 S via EXIT 9 toward NAPLES. 56.6 miles Map

5: Merge onto FL-72 W via EXIT 205 toward SIESTA KEY / SARASOTA. 5.9 miles Map

6: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MIDNIGHT PASS RD / FL-758. 2.1 miles Map

7: Turn LEFT onto COMMONWEALTH DR. <0.1 miles Map

8: Turn LEFT onto DEWEY PL. <0.1 miles Map

9: End at Siesta Key, FL US

 

[flatline]

those directions are accurate. take exit 205 and in about 6 miles it'll dead end onto midnight pass rd. take a right, and the road will lead you up to Siesta public beach. it'll curve to the right, and you'll be in the village. there's a big, free parking lot behind the market, it'll be on your right.

 

[rejobako]

Just saw this thread. Couple of comments: Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar is a popular place and worth visiting, but it's on the mainland, not Siesta Key -- about a 15 minute drive over either bridge from the Key. The Daquiri Deck is the big hotspot on the Key in the village. It's fun and touristy. If you like sushi, there is an absolutely first-rate sushi bar a few steps from the Daquiri Deck in Jo To's Japanese Steak House. We also like Captain Curts for laid-back shorts and flip/flops atmosphere. Further south on the Key is Turtles, which is a bit more upscale and on has a nice view of the intracoastal waterway.

What everyone is saying about the sand is absolutely true. It's probably the most pure, white, clean, soft sand you'll ever walk on. In the blistering heat of a sunny summer day, the heat is still reflected off the sand and you can walk on it in bare feet with no problem.

All that being said, I also think that, whereas there are only a few "high-rises" on the Key, and there is a nice setback, there's far too few public beach accesses available. The only big public access is near the village at the Siesta Key Public Beach, and although they have everything there, from a playground to bathrooms/changing areas, volleyball courts, etc., good luck trying to find a parking place after 10:00 a.m. I think the county dropped the ball back in the 70s when they didnt' secure additional access along the Key, the rest of which was quickly gobbled up by the developers. But if you're staying in one of the condo properties, you couldn't ask for a nicer beachfront.

 

[flatline]

we like 'the creek' and agree that it's worth a trip for dinner. as touristy as the D Deck may be, it's our favorite.

 

[jugglinfish]

I have to say that we like Cpt Curts as well - its very beachy and a bit pricey for some people, but we always think the food is good - corn fritters YUMMY.
Turtles is another favorite of ours - its on the bay side much quieter but great early bird specials.
If you like breakfast out my favorite is the Broken Egg in Siesta Key Village, but my dad prefers the Village Cafe also in the village.

Have a great time.

 

[Snoopymom]

Thanks everyone! I think I want to try Captain Curts, but I've got the drive over to read to dh all the menus I printed out....we're happy with a few appetizers, peel-n-eat shrimp, oysters, a frozen drink, and a beer, nothing fussy, so it sounds perfect!

Thanks Rejobako for the info about the public access and the warning about the parking. We're going for the day on a Tuesday, but I'm not sure whether we'll want to hit the beach first or find a place to eat first, but hopefully we'll get lucky if we arrive at the beach after lunch.

It's so hard for me to "just wing it" LOL! so thanks again!!!

 

[Gillian]

Absolutely, if you are driving onto the key from the South Bridge (as you would pass Coasters) turn left at the light. Crescent Beach Grocery is there and Captain Curt's....on your right, almost immediatley is a public parking access..it's very narrow but park there and walk straight down....to the beach....(I can't remember the names of the two condo's it's in between) once you hit the beach look to your left and you'll see the wall and the point of rocks - nto far at all. In fact this is Crescent Beach and this is "our" beach, so don't tell anyone! We usually go here over Siesta...especially during season, it's usually deserted aside from runners/walkers/shellers. It's been so chilly we haven't walked down there in a while! Hope to get back there soon! Nothing like a green flash sunset on Siesta Key!

We ended up going here one night & one morning during the week after Easter when we were camping. The kids loved the beach there!

I'm still getting that baby powder fine sand out of my car though.

 

[Gillian]

Gillian, if you're camping, have you ever been to Fort DeSoto?

I don't know if you're still reading this thread, but yes, we have been to Fort DeSoto. It's a neat place! We did not have time to camp there this year, plus our kids are a little young and I'm afraid of them + water. We hope to try it next year or soon.